The P-47D Thunderbolt is looking a little bare at the front end at the moment after it was decided to remove and overhaul the propeller in anticipation of the aircrafts move to the UK register. The props on these machines have to be checked at least every five years, and rather than do it in a screaming hurry just prior to registration, it was felt to be more sensible to get the job done now.

CRS Propellers of Coventry are the UK based firm carrying out the work, which is expected to be completed without jeopardy to the first of the Thunderbolt's airshow commitments in 1998. We'll keep you updated on progress.

The prop belonging to Bearcat 1 is due back from the States imminently, and will probably have been fitted to the front of the aeroplane as you read these words. The flying controls on this machine are also nearly complete, regular readers will recall from the last News page that some rot had been found in the fabric of the control surfaces, and this has meant TFC engineers getting their sewing machines out to completely replace the linen on each of the metal frames. Paint has been applied to the completed units, and then work will get underway to refit them to the aeroplane.